How do I add User Waypoints in bulk?

ForeFlight Mobile allows you to import your own collection of user waypoints into the app using a CSV or KML file. CSV is a simple comma-separated format which can be exported from Excel or Google Sheets. KML is an XML-based format that can be easily created from programs like Google Earth.

STEP 1. Create a CSV or KML data file

You will need to create a CSV or KML file. For CSV files, use Excel or Google Sheets and organize the file with 4 columns where you will need to place the waypoint name, description, latitude, and longitude. The CSV file must be organized as follows:

WAYPOINT_NAME

Waypoint description

Latitude

Longitude

Here is an example of how waypoint entries could look like in your spreadsheet:

MY_HOUSE

My house

38.1

-79.2

PROPERTY_ALPHA

First house to observe

40.588

-80.1295

ANOTHER

""

39.22

-81.966

Waypoint Names: In either a CSV or KML data file, waypoint names must:

• Be at least 3 characters long including at least one letter. For example, "12A" is okay, but "123" is not.

• Be in ALL CAPS. For example, "THE_CABIN" is okay, but "The_Cabin" is not.

• Have no spaces between words. Instead, Use a "_" or "-" between words. For example, "THE_CABIN" or "THE-CABIN" is okay, but "THE CABIN" is not.

Waypoint Description: You can add a description of the User Waypoint to help you recall the user for the waypoint. If you do not want to provide a description, you must use [""] in the description column.

NOTE:Only the first 30-40 characters of the description will be visible in ForeFlight Mobile, so keeping them short is a good idea.

Latitude and Longitude: You will need to format your Latitude and Longitude (Lat/Long) values in a simple numeric decimal-degree format (ie: 34.7 or -81.457, where "negative" Longitude indicates W). No other Lat/Long formats are supported for bulk importing.

Naming Your CSV or KML File: User Waypoint CSV and KML files must be named "user_waypoint.[file type extension]" with all lower case letters and no spaces. The name should look like the following examples:

• For CSV file: user_waypoints.csv

• For KML file: user_waypoints.kml

Sample CSV or KML File: Sample CSV and KML files are available at the bottom of this article.

STEP 2. Import your user waypoints into ForeFlight.

ForeFlight allows you to import your own collection of user waypoints into the app in one of three ways:

Option 1. Importing from AirDrop (Works with KML files only)

Option 2. Importing from email (Works with KML files only)

Option 3. Importing using iTunes (Work with KML and CSV)

Note: if you import a waypoint with the same name as an existing waypoint, it will be used to overwrite the existing waypoint.

Option 1. Importing User Waypoints via AirDrop (KML only)

Step 1. Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must on both you Mac and iPad or iPhone.

Step 2. Drag a KML file from your computer's Finder into the AirDrop folder and drop it onto the device that you wish to transfer it to.

Step 3. A popup on the receiving device will ask what app you want to send the imported file to. Tap FOREFLIGHT.

Step 4. Confirm that you want to import the file contents as user waypoints. The new waypoints will then be added to the User Waypoints page in MORE > USER CONTENT.

Option 2. Importing User Waypoints via Email (KML only)

Step 1. Attach your user waypoints KML file to an email and send it to whatever recipient(s) you want to have the file (which may be your own email address).

Step 2. Open the email in the Apple Mail app

Step 3. Tap-hold on the attachment with the name of the file you want to import.

Step 4. After the share option appears, swipe through the apps in the middle until you reach ForeFlight and tap COPY TO FOREFLIGHT.

Step 5. ForeFlight will open and the app will ask whether you want to import the file as a User Map Layers file or as a User Waypoints file. Make your selection.

Step 3. Inside iTunes, click on the icon for your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. You will find the device icons at the top of the iTunes screen. Make sure you click on the device that you want to copy procedures to.

Image 1. Click on iPad, iPhone, or iPad Touch icon.

NOTE: If you don't see your device name listed, make sure it is plugged in properly. Try disconnecting the USB cable from both your device and the computer, and then plug it in again.

Step 4. Inside the window for your device, click on the APPS listing (1) on the left. It should show all of the apps you have installed on your device.

Step 5. Scroll to the 'File Sharing' section (2) at the bottom of the page.

Step 6. Click on 'FOREFLIGHT (3).

Image 2. Click on APPS, scroll to FILE SHARING, and Tap on FOREFLIGHT.

Step 7.On the right, you will see a listing of 'ForeFlight Documents'. If this is the first time you've added procedures to the app, this listing will be empty. Drag your "user_waypoints" file and drop it onto the 'ForeFlight Documents' table.

Step 10. Go to the User Waypoints view inside the app (MORE > USER CONTENT > USER WAYPOINTS on the iPad, and MENU > USER CONTENT > USER WAYPOINTS on the iPhone). You will be prompted to imported the new data.

Note: In iTunes, the imported file is renamed with "processed" in the name and will still be accessible via the iTunes file sharing view. It can then be deleted as needed.